'Low literacy levels hampering development'

May 31, 2024

Kibenge said the country is still grappling with challenges of low literacy levels. This, he explained is hampering the progress of several Government programs.

(L-R) Aggrey David Kibenge, gender ministry permanent secretary interacting with John Eremu, Vice Chairperson, Board of Directors, Literacy & Adult Basic Education (LABE) at the MOU signing. (Photos by Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

By Ivan Tsebeni and Eunice Akullo
Journalists @New Vision

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Low literacy levels in the country have hampered development and slowed the progress of Government programs, gender ministry permanent secretary Aggrey David Kibenge has said.

According to him, failure by a section of the country's population to well-comprehend government programs is a major reason such programs have attracted resistance hence delaying development.



Speaking at the signing of the partnership agreement between the gender ministry, and Literacy and Adult Basic Education (LABE) at Hotel Africana in Kampala on Thursday, May 30, 2024, Kibenge said the country is still grappling with challenges of low literacy levels. This, he explained is hampering the progress of several Government programs.

He wondered how traders, especially in this generation can still reject the newly implemented tax regulations under the Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing Solution (EFRIS), something he says indicates the need for more literacy enhancement.

MGLSD exchanging copies of the signed MOU with LABE

MGLSD exchanging copies of the signed MOU with LABE





“As a country, we still have a big chunk of the population that finds it difficult to comprehend government programs. You will realise that such incidences hamper development. But when we have partners who have sacrificed to help us get the public mobilised, why not, the work shall be easy for us,Kibenge said.

The PS noted the gender ministry is the lead agency in the social development sector (SDS) with the mandate to empower communities to harness their potential through cultural growth, skills development, and labour productivity for sustainable and gender-responsive development. This, he explained is the reason for them (the ministry) to join hands with LABE, especially on adult education. LABE is a civil society organisation that aims to address the need for sustainable literacy skills.

Aggrey KibengAggrey Kibenge, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development

Aggrey KibengAggrey Kibenge, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development





“We have committed to work with them for four years and within these years, we will match hand in hand with LABE and all the other partners, go to the homesteads invest in the quality of lives of mothers, and also improve the conditions under which children are born and nurtured,Kibenge said.

Partnership welcomed

On the other hand, LABE vice-chairperson John Eremu welcomed the partnership noting that it had come in handy to enhance the organisation’s mode of work which he said is always through partnerships.

John Eremu, Vice Chairperson, Board of Directors, Literacy & Adult Basic Education (LABE)

John Eremu, Vice Chairperson, Board of Directors, Literacy & Adult Basic Education (LABE)



He noted that the 35-year-old organisation has impacted lives in six districts in northern Uganda.

“LABE works with and through partnerships. Therefore, this partnership comes in handy to enhance the LABE model of work and the proposed engagement with this ministry aligns very well with our mission. We promise to do our best and deliver exceedingly on our responsibilities,Eremu said.

Stellah Keihangwe Tumwebaze, Executive Director Literacy & Adult Education (LABE)

Stellah Keihangwe Tumwebaze, Executive Director Literacy & Adult Education (LABE)





He lauded the Government for accepting to partner with LABE, a development that would help communities leverage social knowledge through adult education.

“It is through this partnership that we shall use to help communities enhance their efforts to ensure adult education,he said.

LABE team during the MOU signing

LABE team during the MOU signing



On his part, Everest Tunwesigye, the commissioner for community development and literacy, welcomed the partnership saying the ministry treasures working with others.

Statistics

In Uganda, the gross enrolment rate in primary education is 99% for both girls and boys combined. This decreases to 23% in lower secondary, with a student transition rate to secondary school of 59%. In Uganda, the primary net enrolment rate is 91% and the primary completion rate is 51%, according to World Bank Statistics.

Stellah Keihangwe Tumwebaze, Executive Director Literacy & Adult Education (LABE) and John Eremu, Vice Chairperson, Board of Directors, Literacy & Adult Basic Education (LABE)

Stellah Keihangwe Tumwebaze, Executive Director Literacy & Adult Education (LABE) and John Eremu, Vice Chairperson, Board of Directors, Literacy & Adult Basic Education (LABE)



In 2022, the adult literacy rate for Uganda was 80.6 %. It had increased from 56.1 % in 1991 to 80.6 % in 2022 growing at an average annual rate of 6.50%, according to the Uganda Education Policy Data Centre (UEPDC) report.

Relatedly, according to the World Bank and UNESCO Institute of Statistics, the primary school completion rate was 52 percent in 2017 for boys and 54 percent for girls. In the same year, lower secondary completion was 28% for men and 25% for women.

Everest Tumwesigye,Commissioner Community Development and Literacy-MGLSD

Everest Tumwesigye,Commissioner Community Development and Literacy-MGLSD



Adult literacy programs assist adults to become literate and obtain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment and self-sufficiency. These parents/guardians obtain the educational skills that are necessary to become full partners in the educational development of their children.

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